What is EFT and how do I use it?

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a powerful method that uses ‘tapping’ to relieve emotional trauma. It is a simple and effective form of meridian energy therapy. It is like emotional acupuncture but without the needles. We tap points on the face and upper body with our fingertips while focusing on an issue we have. The points we tap are acupuncture points. There are many acupuncture points, but using EFT we focus on just ten of these points.Studies have shown that EFT is able to reduce painful emotional memories. EFT tapping induces a mini REM state in the brain which re-organises how we store and process information. This balances electricity in the meridians of the body by sending healing pulses. The presence of such meridians is assumed in traditional Chinese medical theories. It can be shown with an EEG machine that brainwave patterns respond well to tapping.

EFT was founded by NLP Master and Practitioner Gary Craig who states ‘The cause of all negative emotion is a disruption in the body’s energy system, and our unresolved emotions are major contributors to most physical pains and diseases. EFT will remove these disruptions in more than 80% of the cases in one or two sessions, sometimes within minutes’

Generally we start by deciding what we want to use EFT for. We then assess our pain on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 would be minimal pain while 10 would be very painful. Also, the pain we describe need not be physical. In EFT we regard emotional problems to be the cause or root of medical and physical problems.

Using all four fingers of one hand, we tap on the karate chop point of our other hand saying to ourselves ‘even though I have this pain (and you get specific about it) I accept myself totally’ This would be repeated three times before changing hands.

We then move onto the ‘Eyebrow point’ which is where the bridge of the nose meets the eyebrow. When trying to find the tapping points it is a good idea to start gently. You should be able to feel when you have successfully located each point as it will feel a bit tender. We tap this point seven times using just one or two fingers stating the issue we are concentrating on, for example ‘This headache’. This brings awareness to our feelings and emotions while the tapping helps to clear them.

Some EFT systems tap both left and right points on either side of the face or body at the same time, while others just tap one side. This is worth playing with. If you want to tap both eyebrow points at the same time this is fine. If you would rather tap the left eyebrow point or the right eyebrow point this is also fine. It is the same for all the other points we will be tapping.

The next point to tap is the side of the eye. This point is where the top eyelid meets the bottom eyelid on the outside of the face, not the side where the nose meets the eye. Once again we would tap this point seven times stating our issue, for example ‘This headache’.

The next point to tap is the ‘Under eye point’. This point is on the bone under the eye. If we were to stare forward our tapping finger would be under the eye in line with our pupil. We would tap this point seven times bringing vocal awareness to the issue we are using EFT to resolve, for example ‘This headache’.

You can see there is a pattern forming here so rather than repeating the same ‘tap seven times’ technique I will point out the other tapping points.

We have the ‘Under Nose point’ which is between the top lip and the nose. We have the ‘Chin tapping point’ which is between the bottom lip and the bottom of the chin. If we were to draw a line down the centre of our face the ‘Under Nose point’ and the ‘Chin tapping point’ would be on this line.

Having tapped these points seven times we would then move onto the Collar bone tapping point. This can be tapped using one or more fingers and the point to tap is about an inch in from where the Collar bone starts. We then move onto the ‘Under Arm tapping point’ which is under the arm and level with your nipple. This point is halfway between the front and back of the body.

We then move onto the ‘Top of Head’. This is known as the Crown Chakra in many traditions. The final tapping point is the wrist. This point is best tapped using 3 fingers and its location is the inside of the forearm about an inch away from your hand joint.

In many EFT traditions, having tapped these points seven times stating our issue, we would return to the ‘Eyebrow tapping point’ and start again by re-assessing our pain level. We would adjust the ‘this headache’ to ‘this remaining headache’ for example. This cycle would be completed 3 times. Eventually, the pain gets down to where it is gone, or is at least satisfactorily manageable. It is good to sit quietly for a few moments, relaxing and being aware of our body, thoughts and feelings.

This is a basic introduction to what EFT is and how you can use it. It is amazing how effective EFT can be and it is even more effective when used regularly to keep ones self in good emotional health.

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What is Astrology and how does it work?

The work ‘astrology’ comes from the Latin ‘astrologia’ which is derived from the Greek words ‘astron’, constellation or star, and  ‘logia’, the study of, so the literal translation of the word ‘astrology’ is ‘the study of the stars’.

There are many traditions of astrology ranging from the Vedic, the oldest form of astrology, to the Chinese and Egyptian traditions. This article will focus on the Western astrology.

Astrological readings are based on your birth details; time, date and place of birth. Astrologers will use the positions of the planets when you were born to determine how they will affect different areas of your lives. For example, the sign mercury occupied when you were born will show how your mind works. Venus shows the way your heart works and the way you relate to others and the moon describes the way your emotions work. These factors result in a totally detailed and comprehensive picture of you.

There are 12 Astrological signs each representing different attributes of personality.

*  Aries           – Heady, energetic, experiential, assertive & independent

*  Taurus        – slow, relaxed, practical, loyal, persistent & talented

*  Gemini        – interesting, communicative, intelligent & witty

*  Cancer       – moody, sensitive, caring, affectionate & loving

*  Leo              – playful, proud, passionate, creative & fun

*  Virgo           – focused, discerning, skilful, flexible & present

*  Libra            – charming, peaceful, polite, artistic & diplomatic

*  Scorpio       – intense, feeling, passionate, involved & probing

*  Sagittarius – enthusiastic, adventurous, joyful & experiential

*  Capricorn   – sincere, structured, disciplined, ambitious & cautious

*  Aquarius   – spontaneous, rebellious & changeable

*  Pisces         – trusting, sensitive, psychic, artistic & adaptable

Most people know what star sign they are, the sign of the zodiac they are born under. This is known as your ‘sun sign’ and is who we are and what we identify with. It is our creativity and individuality. But knowing your sun sign is far from the whole picture. The other planets in your solar system also have a part to play.

The Zodiac sign rising over the horizon at birth is known in astrology as the Rising Sign or Ascendant. The ascendant governs the personality and qualities used to express ones self. It is the doorway between the person and the outside world. The ascendant also rules physical appearance. When we look at someone it is this that we are seeing. In the game of ‘guess what sign I am?’ it is the ascendant that is most easily recognised, although it is of course influenced by other factors in the chart.

The Rising Sign, or Ascendant, is the beginning of the first house of any chart. A chart is divided into 12 parts or houses. The way these houses are divided depends on what method we use. If we use the ‘Equal House’ system, each of the houses are equal in size. If we use the ‘Placidus House’ system, which takes into account that we are born on the surface of the planet rather than at the centre, the houses are not divided equally.

The 12 houses relate to different aspects of life:

The First House rules new beginnings and the ways in which we express ourselves.

The Second House governs our talents and abilities, personal finances and resources.

The Third House relates to communications and learning, and also siblings.

The Fourth House is to do with the home and family. It is our foundation and support in life

The Fifth House is the house of hobbies and pastimes. It relates to creativity, children and play.

The Sixth House relates to work, duty, service, health and healing.

The Seventh House signifies our connection with others. It is the house of partnerships and relationship.

The Eighth House represents joint finances. It also relates to therapy and the ways in which we nurture others.

The Ninth House is the House of higher education, travel and experiences that teach us about life.

The Tenth House is associated with responsibilities and commitment. It governs career, marriage, and parenting.

The Eleventh House is the house of friends and socialising. It also relates to our aspirations for the future.

The Twelfth House is associated with meditation and aloneness. It is also the house of dreams and ideas.

To make things easier to understand in this example we will use the ‘Equal House’ system.

On a chart the houses are drawn in an anti clockwise direction. The first house is always beginning at 9 o’clock which means the second house will be at 8 o’clock, the third house at seven o’clock and so on until we reach the twelfth house at 10 o’clock.

If we are born with a Rising Sign of Sagittarius it means that our first house, which rules new beginnings and the ways in which we express ourselves, will be effected by the energy of the sign in that house – in this case Sagittarius. The energy of Sagittarius is Positive, optimistic, knowledgeable, adventurous, enthusiastic, experiential, honest, it is about teaching, encouraging, Higher education, policing, the law, politics, religion. This will make the way we express ourselves quite optimistic. With the first house being about new beginnings and Sagittarius being about adventure, we will not be afraid to make changes in our lives. This is a very basic interpretation but it gives you the idea.

As the planets move through the different houses they also influence us:

The Sun is who we are and what we identify with. It is our creativity and individuality. Each of the Zodiac signs ‘shines’ in different ways relevant to the qualities of the sign it occupies.

The Moon governs our feelings and emotional life. It also represents our family, particularly the Mother. The qualities of the sign it occupies influences the way we feel and respond to life.

Mercury influences communication on all levels. The sign Mercury occupies tells us how we learn, what we think about and where our interest may lie.

Venus rules relationships and partnerships. Our relating and relationships are affected by the qualities of the sign Venus occupies.

Mars represents our sexuality and basic driving force. It is the planet of energy, energizing and activating us in ways relating to the qualities of the sign it occupies. Mars also directs us towards working in the areas of life governed by the sign it is in.

Jupiter relates to the qualities of honesty, optimism and joy. Among other things, it governs spirituality, religion, philosophy, journalism, higher education, travel and the law. Jupiter represents the kind of knowledge that comes easy to us.

Chiron, Discovered towards the end of the 20th Century, relates to health and healing. Sometimes referred to as the wounded healer, it can expose our weaknesses in order that we may heal them. This process can sometimes involve us in the healing of others.

Saturn is the planet of mastery; it governs discipline and commitment, parents, marriage, parenting and career. It affects the way we structure our lives and rules organisations and governing bodies. The placement of Saturn shows our limitations and it is sometimes as a result of the restrictions imposed by Saturn that we learn our greatest lessons and achieve our most important goals.

Uranus represents our uniqueness, individuality and social contribution.

Neptune represents dreams and intuition, fears, fantasies and  ideals.

Pluto represents power and destiny.

North Node is an indicator as to the types of roles we need to develop in life and the qualities we need to cultivate.

So a good example of how we are influenced by the planets would be to look at the moon. As the moon, which is all about feelings, passes through the first house we ‘feel’ like taking action or starting something new. As the moon moves through the second house we ‘feel’ our self-worth. As the moon moves through the third house we ‘feel’ like communicating, as the moon moves through the fourth house we ‘feel’ emotional, and so it goes on through all the houses and their relative energies. As you can see, taking into consideration all the planets moving through all the 12 houses we have a good idea about what is going on for someone in any given moment.

But this is still not the whole picture. Planets also influence other planets, this is known as the ‘aspects between planets’.

There are many aspects which can be used but the most common are listed below. An aspect comes into being when there is an exact amount of degrees between planets. There is a level of tolerance in each case and this varies between astrologers. As a general rule the planet farthest from the Sun in the solar system has influence over the other. Where there is a challenge the outer planet will have a negative affect until the other planet gets its message and learns to use the positive qualities of that planet. These are our life lessons. Positive alignments gifts we were born with.

Conjunction – same degree – tolerance 10’ – beneficial and challenging. They may support each other or get in each other’s way.

Opposition – 180’ apart – tolerance 10’ – challenging. Planets may turn on each other or simply not want to know and head off in separate directions.

Trine– 120’ apart – tolerance 10’ – beneficial. These planets work extremely well together.

Square– 90’ apart – tolerance 10’ – challenging. The planets have trouble working together.

Sextile– 60’ apart – tolerance 5’ – beneficial. Planets can work together.

Inconjunction– 150’ apart – tolerance 5’ – needs working on. These planets need to adapt and change before they can work together.

As planets travel they form aspects to the planets in our birth charts, these are called transits. They prompt, stimulate or challenge those parts of us that the planet in our chart represents. In terms of their influence, the major planets are felt one month either side of the exact alignment. The exception is Jupiter which affects us about a week either side of the exact date.

As we are not in the centre of the solar system it appears that planets go backwards from time to time. This is called retrograde motion and it means that some major transits can be experienced many times before the planets move out of aspect. Sometimes each alignment of a series can act as different chapters in an unfolding of a story.

There are many different readings that can be given:

We have a general reading that will look at how the planets have, and will, affect our lives from birth to old age and death.

We have transit readings that will look at the year ahead and tell us what influences the planets will have in different areas of our lives.

There is also a relationship reading that works with 2 charts, one for each person in the relationship. This is a great indication of how areas of confliction or friction may be overcome and positive influences made the most of.

We have the karmic reading that gives the view of Esoteric Astrology on the Soul’s progression through different lifetimes. It looks at past life lessons and challenges; the roles we have had and how the things we have learnt can be used to benefit us in this life. It looks at how we have used our power and authority, how we have rebelled and how we have become attached or stuck. The Karmic reading offers insight and inspiration that can help you to connect with your Soul purpose and live a fulfilling life.

And we have the progressed chart reading that looks at how you may have developed the qualities present in your birth chart since you were born to date. If we look at where the planets were 20 days after you were born then we can see how you may have developed at the age of 20 years. You keep your original qualities but the use to which you put them will change over the years. This reading shows something of the cycles in your life and the timing of new phases.

Pictures with kind permission from http://freeimages.co.uk , images from NASA National Space Science Data Center.  Please note this site is not endorsed by NASA or any of its agencies.

How to relax in these turbulent times

World Healing Project Meditation

In these times of mass unease and pressure, more and more people are finding it increasing hard to relax. Worry and anxiety have got to such a level that the odd glass of wine in the evening isn’t doing the job. So what is the answer? Turning in to an alcoholic isn’t the sensible option, but maybe an esoteric solution is?

Listening to relaxation music, meditation music, guided meditations, hypnotherapy, Reiki, chanting music, Tibetan bowls and soft soothing New Age music from the comfort of our own armchair is a good way forward. It is empowering as we are not reliant on drugs, legal or otherwise, and on a subconscious level the fact that we allow ourselves to take ‘time out’ from the madness around us means we are in control. This is very important as a lot of what people are feeling is that they do not have time. Of course, we all know you can’t take time if you don’t make the time to do so.

Scientifically listening to relaxing music is a very healthy thing to do. It lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, slows our heart rate down and of course it feels great and leaves us feeling relaxed.

Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times

At www.SoundsOrange.com there is a relaxation experience for everyone. SoundsOrange have meditation music from all over the world and from all sorts of backgrounds; whether you want Buddhist mantra’s, devotional Kirtan’s, relaxing hypnotherapy or World music to drift off to. SoundsOrange also have an assortment of video’s, some to watch and some to download, that range from using relaxing Reiki to concerts you can sing and chant along to. There is a massive amount of free music and free video’s available.

The Singing Tree

So light a few incense sticks, get yourself comfortable and start by listening to the free SoundsOrange radio. We guarantee after 20 minutes of this you will feel like a new person.

What is hypnosis and how can it help with dieting?

Many people’s views of hypnosis are often based on what they have seen on the TV rather than being based in reality. It is unfortunate that ‘clinical hypnotherapy’ and ‘stage hypnosis’ share the same name. Stage hypnosis is based on entertainment, suggestibility and illusion. An impression is thereby given that being hypnotised is an external state which is the opposite of what it really is, an internalised state. Therefore people can be wary of hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy is a process that is aimed at helping to instil a superior form of physical and mental relaxation. Techniques are used by the practitioner that encourage the client to enter a “trance state” which bypasses the conscious mind and critical faculty. We unconsciously enter this state every day when driving a car, reading a book or when we become emotional. The difference is, hypnotherapy is a process which undertakes this state in a controlled setting. When in this state, hypnotherapy is able to realign feelings that stem form the subconscious to a more positive state and give an all-important edge when it comes to breaking habits. This is a powerful process that works with the right side of the brain. We therefore refer to it as “right brain coaching”.

Whilst undergoing hypnotherapy, many clients may assume they are in a state of “sleep” and undergoing “therapy” both at the same time. In fact the word Hypnosis is derived from “hypnos”, being the Greek term for sleep. James Braid coined “hypnosis” around 1840 from the Greeks who used “sleep temples” as far back as 4000 BC, and so “Relaxation of the conscious mind” would have been a more accurate description. Therefore the name hypnosis is really a misnomer.

Hypnotherapy has many uses, one of them being weight loss. Weight loss can be eternal. Unfortunately diets, or new re-cycled diets, work on a starvation principle of drastically reduced calories. Some work by eating solid protein, others by living off a boring liquid diet. None of them address the relationship to food, which is a lifetime one.

Diets slow down the metabolism. After 4 days the body shuts down and goes into starvation mode protecting the very calories you are trying to loose. When you start eating again the weight piles back on. This is due to the dieter having wrecked their metabolism.

Dieticians and so called experts do not tell you that the body likes and needs good old fat. It serves a useful propose. It supplies us with a food store in times of starvation and keeps us warm. The subconscious mind still acts as if we were in the cave. Diets do not address this in any way shape or form. The key is to work with the body. The body will accept weight loss of 2lbs a week. Any more is fluid and muscle tissue. If the weight is lost slowly, it will stay off. Therefore no more yo-yo effect.

Everybody knows what he or she should and should not eat. Unfortunately we live in an age where miracle diets offer absurd amounts of weight loss in a matter of days or weeks and this seems preferable to healthy eating. This, of course, does not work and can, in fact, do more harm than good. Hypnotherapy, however, can help people to lose weight permanently and healthily.

Hypnotherapy is a process where you work with the body and feel good about doing the things that you know you should be doing. Once you are into a rhythm the weight comes off slowly, naturally and safely. The final result being that the weight stays off. Psychologically you feel good as confidence in your ability to lose weight rises. You lose weight once not a hundred times!

What are Chakras and How Do You Experience Them?

In the language of Sanskrit the word chakra means wheel of light. According to the ancient Vedic tradition there are seven spinning wheels of light spaced between the base of our spine and the crown of our head, drawing the energy, or ‘prana’, from the cosmos that sustains and ultimately illuminates our beings. Each chakra represents a different aspect of our human nature.

Singing different tones attributed to each chakra makes it easy to feel where they are located. The seven different tones are sometimes arranged in a chromatic scale, generally that of C major. This is a Western precept gained from measuring the frequencies of the rainbow colours attributed to each chakra. There are varying thoughts regarding the notes of each chakra, some saying the Root chakra is an A note and others saying it is a B note. Staying with our Western idea that the chakras are in C Major, the First chakra would be the note of C, the Second would be D, the Third an E, the Fourth an F, the Fifth a G, the Sixth an A and the seventh would be a B note.

The Chakras

The First or ‘Root’ Chakra (MULADHARA) is located at the base of spine. Its element is Earth and it is Red in colour. The sense this chakra represents is smell and, energetically it represents grounding and security. The tone that resonates with this chakra is ‘UH’, or in the Vedic tradition LAM. Crystals and Gemstones for this chakra are Smoky Quartz, Garnet, Alexandrite, Ruby, Agate, Bloodstone, Onyx, Tiger’s Eye and Rose Quartz.

The Second or ‘Sacral’ chakra (SVADISTHANA), also known as the Hara, is located between the root and navel. Its element is Water and it is Orange in colour. The sense this chakra represents is taste, energetically it represents sexuality and life energy. The tone that resonates with this chakra is ‘OO’, or in the Vedic tradition, VAM. Crystals and Gemstones for this chakra are Amber, Citrine, Topaz, Aventurine, Moonstone and Jasper.

The Third or ‘Solar Plexus’ chakra (MANIPURA) is located at the navel. Its element is Fire and it is Yellow in colour. The sense this chakra represents is sight and, energetically it represents ego and self esteem. The tone that resonates with this chakra is ‘OH’, or in the Vedic tradition RAM. Crystals and Gemstones for this chakra are Yellow Citrine, Apatite, Calcite, Kunzite, Rose Quartz, Iron Pyrites (Fool’s Gold), Topaz and Malachite.

The Fourth chakra (ANAHATA) is located at the heart. Its element is Air and it is Green in colour. The sense this chakra represents is touch and, energetically it represents love. The tone that resonates with this chakra is ‘AH’, or in the Vedic tradition YAM. Crystals and Gemstones for this chakra are Emerald, Green Calcite, Amber, Azurite, Chrysoberyl, Jade, Rose and Watermelon Tourmalines.

The Fifth chakra (VISUDHA) is located at the throat. Its element is Ether and it is Blue in colour. The sense this chakra represents is hearing and, energetically it represents communication. The tone that resonates with this chakra is ‘EH’ (or sometimes ‘MEM’), or in the Vedic tradition HAM. Crystals and Gemstones for this chakra are Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine, Sodalite, Turquoise and Sapphire.

The Sixth chakra (AJNA) is located at the Third eye. Its element is Light and it is Violet in colour. The sense this chakra represents is light and, energetically it represents insight and imagination. The tone that resonates with this chakra is ‘EE’, or in the Vedic tradition SHAM. Crystals and Gemstones for this chakra are Amethyst, Purple Apatite, Azurite, Calcite, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue and White Fluorite.

The Seventh or ‘Crown’ chakra (SAHASRARA) is located at the top of the head. It is Indigo in colour. Energetically this chakra represents transcendence. The tone that resonates with this chakra is ‘I’ (EYE) or in the Vedic tradition AUM. Crystals and Gemstone for this chakra are Diamond, White Tourmaline, White Jade, Snowy Quartz and Celestite.

The Seven chakras can be seen as a journey through the different aspects of our lives.

We start with the Root chakra; this is all about survival; food and shelter. Once we have this sorted in our lives we move onto the second chakra where we experience sex and life energy. So having moved from a state of survival we then move into a state of sexuality. We then move up into a sense of ‘self’ with the Third chakra. This is an ‘I will’ or ‘I want’ mentality. Having connected with our ‘selves’ and our ego’s, we can then to move to the heart chakra where we can love and move beyond our selfish motives. Moving up to the throat chakra we experience communication, not only spoken but also telepathy. Naturally we then move up to our Third eye which is all about insight and meditation. This is the point where we transcend our physical and emotional needs and move beyond to experience meditation. This leads nicely onto the crown chakra where we experience Nirvana or enlightenment.

Experiencing Your Chakras

By singing the chakra tones we are literally singing ourselves back in tune with existence. To feel and experience your chakras, you will need to sit in a quiet, meditative space and chant the relevant tones for each chakra. It is a good idea to start at the First or root chakra by chanting ‘UH’. Some find it easier to visualise the colour of the chakras while chanting. Repeat the ‘UH’ chant for several minutes before moving on to the Second chakra, chanting ‘OO’. Continue to move up through all the chakras, and after several minutes chanting the ‘I’ for the Crown chakra, move back down through all the chakras to the First or Root chakra.

You will experience each chakra as a swirling, circular energy, hence the name ‘the wheel of light’. After chanting up and down through your chakras, it is a good idea to sit quietly. This is a fantastic meditation that relaxes and replenishes our being.

For Chakra healing music please visit SoundsOrange – Mind, Body and Spirit Music and Video